On the 25th of August, 1698, Louis XIV. issued out an order, by which he rigorously forbade, under pain of death, every individual belonging to the French cavalry or infantry, (suttler and private soldier included) to keep any gaming table in camp or quarters. In consequence of these regulations, and with the view of introducing the strictest principles of honor and regularity in a profession which must be tarnished even by the breath of suspicion, on the 1st of July, 1727, Louis the XVth ordained by the 43d article of war, that whatsoever soldier, horse or foot, was convicted of cheating at play, should be punished with death. He further directed, that in case any hazard table should be set up in a camp, or garrison, the commanding officer or governor was to order the same to be broken forthwith, and to commit all persons concerned therein to prison.
JEWAER KHANNA, Ind. The jewel office.
IHTIMAMDAR, Ind. A person appointed by the Hindoo magistrate, who has the superintending agency over several towns.
IJELAS, Ind. The general assembly of the court of justice in Bengal, so called.
To IMBODY, in a military sense, implies to assemble under arms, either for defence or offence. This term is particularly applied to the meeting of the militia.
IMPETUS, in mechanics, the force with which one body impels or strikes another. See [Gunnery]. [Momentum].
IMPOSTS, that part of a pillar in vaults or arches, on which the weight of the whole rests.
IMPREGNABLE. Any fortress or work which resists the efforts of attack, is said to be impregnable.
To IMPRESS, to compel any body to serve.
Impress-Service, A particular duty which is performed by persons belonging to the navy. Soldiers, that behave ill, in the British service, and from repeated misconduct are deemed incorrigible on shore, get frequently turned over to a press gang. This does not, however, occur without some sort of concurrence on the part of the soldier, who is left to chuse between the execution or continuance of a severe military punishment, or to enter on board one of the ships of war.